Is there an entry date for US to join *A?
 

Supposedly, US Airways is to join *A, according to recent rumours, whether or not the UA takover is eventually ever realized or not!

Any further info, such as a prospective date/ time frame?

I would actually prefer that exact scenario to happen. US join *A as an independent company. That way, I could choose between two *A fares domestically.

Leroy,

It is for that reason exactly that I suspect that if the merger does not go through that US won't actually join *A or that their will be all types of restrictions on how to eran miles http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/frown.gif

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I wish I were 1,000 miles away

I personally dont think another US carrier is what * are looking for. With as many as 15 airlines in it right now they cant expand so much. I have said it before and I will say it again, one african carrier and one chinese carrier is all thats is missing. I guess Reyjkavik(KEF) on Iceland will be one of the few spots on the globe that you cant access with a * since SK gave up their routes in favor for FI.

US joining *A as US definitely does not make sense from *As point of view. It will only introduce more transatlantic competition within *A itself. With both UA and LH leading the Alliance and serving domestically (UA), transatlantic (UA & LH) markets, US joining *A will NOT happen.

Looking at US's route map, the serve Manchester, Frankfurt, Paris, London, Munich, Madrid, and Rome. They are all strong *A cities probably with the exception of Madrid, and Rome. Adding US does not benefit exisiting *A carriers.

[This message has been edited by seawolf (edited 10-20-2000).]

The benefit of adding US to Star is their domestic route structure--not their European flights.

UA doesn't want US for its Euro operations; it's for the East Coast network.

This thread is based on the rumor that US will join Star as itself and not part of UA. If the merger does go thru, then the rumor is mute.

[This message has been edited by seawolf (edited 10-21-2000).]

I get the feeling UA basically calls the shots in Star. If they don't merge with US my betting is there is a 40 billion to one chance UA will EVER let them join .... or ANY other US carrier for that matter. WHAT possible gain would United make to have another US airline in there?

the original StarAlliance agreement stated officially and in public veto-rights of any other StarAlliance member for applying new members from the same continent!

That was one of the largest obstacles to 'convince' TG when (promoted by in the first place LH, followed by UA) Singapore Airlines was 'ante portas'. But, as I (and it seems major airlines too, and in this case TG) learned from 'Godfather': there are offers you can't reject ...

[This message has been edited by Rudi (edited 10-26-2000).]

Just booked a couple of flights and noticed no direct flights from CDG to BRU. quite annoying

Jon

More on this longstanding rumour from the current FF Crier:

"We'll have more to say about the frequent flyer implications in future issues, but for now here's our best guess: US Airways will join the Star Alliance (comprising United, Lufthansa, Singapore, etc.) and link Dividend Miles with the frequent flyer programs of the other Star members. That too should be a plus, at least for US Airways customers."

I seem to remember that early in the EU's 'review process' for the UA/US merger that they raised concerns about 'total *A presence' in certain airports, specifically Frankfurt. In fact, it said it would suggest the combined UA/US give up some slots at FRA to even things out.

I wonder whether they'd have a similar take if US simply joined *A rather than merging with UA? That would be bad news for me (PIT based with nonstops to FRA).

For more an the latest speculation regarding US:

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/Forum51/HTML/002146.html

There is a direct High Speed train connection (Thalys, 300 km/h = 185 mph) from CDG airport to Bruxelles midi (Brussel zuid) central station in 1h 20 min.

Alternatively, from CDG airport to Brussel via Lille (TGV + Eurostar high speed trains) in 2h 15 min ...

that was a long time ago.